I. Eligibility
1. Who is eligible to take the CSCA?
The CSCA is designed specifically for non-Chinese citizens who plan to apply for undergraduate programs at universities in Mainland China. Holders of Chinese passports or Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan resident permits are not eligible.
2. Is there an age limit for registration?
There is no age limit. However, candidates under the age of 14 must have their registration completed with the consent and assistance of a guardian.
II. Registration Process & Preparation
3. How do I register?
Candidates need to register an account on the official CSCA website, fill in their information, and complete the payment. Registration is successful upon receiving a confirmation email.
4. What do I need to prepare for registration?
It is recommended to prepare the following materials and information in advance:
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A long-term valid email address (for receiving confirmation emails and notifications).
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A valid identification document (specific requirements can be found at www.csca.cn).
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A digital ID photo (specific requirements can be found at www.csca.cn).
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Bank card information (for payment, specific requirements can be found at www.csca.cn).
5. Is a passport mandatory for registration? What if my passport is about to expire?
Yes, a passport is the only acceptable identification document. If your passport is about to expire, please renew it as soon as possible. You must ensure that the passport presented on the exam day is the original and valid document. Expired passports or copies will not be accepted, and you will be unable to take the exam.
6. Can I modify my registration information after submission?
Once submitted, registration information is locked and cannot be modified by the candidate in the system. If corrections are needed, an information correction request must be submitted before the Admission Ticket is generated. After the Admission Ticket is generated, no information can be modified.
III. Exam Subjects & Selection
7. How do I choose which subjects to take?
Subject selection should primarily depend on the requirements of the universities and majors you plan to apply for. It is recommended to check the admission brochures of your target universities in advance to understand their specific suggestions or requirements regarding CSCA subjects.
8. What is the maximum number of subjects I can take in one exam session?
There is currently no limit on the number of subjects you can register for. It is advised to choose subjects reasonably based on your preparation level and the requirements of your target universities.
9. Can I choose different exam languages for different subjects?
Yes. For core subjects (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry), you can individually choose to take the exam in Chinese or English for each subject. All Professional Chinese subjects are only available in Chinese. The final exam language should align with the requirements of your application universities; if the university has no specific requirement, candidates can choose themselves.
IV. Exam Arrangements & Policies
10. Can I change my exam session or get a refund?
For the 2025 exam year, only refunds (withdrawal) are supported; exam session changes are not allowed. Candidates must submit a withdrawal application before the Admission Ticket is issued. Withdrawal is not accepted after the Admission Ticket is generated.
11. If my city has an offline test center, can I still apply for the home-based online exam?
No. The home-based online exam is only available for countries/regions where conditions for centralized computer-based or paper-based testing are not yet available.
12. Can I take the CSCA exam multiple times? Is there a limit?
Yes. The CSCA does not restrict the number of exam attempts; candidates can register multiple times. Test scores are valid for two years. When applying, candidates can usually submit their best valid score, but specific policies of the target institutions apply.
V. Admission Ticket
13. When can I download my Admission Ticket?
The Admission Ticket will be available for download on the registration system before the exam. Candidates can log in to the system and print it themselves. A notification email will be sent to the candidate’s registered email when the download becomes available.
14. What information is on the Admission Ticket?
The Admission Ticket displays the candidate’s name, gender, nationality, admission ticket number, ID type and number, exam time, exam subjects, test center name and address, test room and seat number, as well as candidate instructions.
15. What should I do if there is an error in my Admission Ticket information?
Information on the Admission Ticket cannot be modified after it is generated. Discrepancies between the ticket information and your ID document will prevent you from entering the exam room. Please be sure to double-check your information carefully during registration and confirm it again after downloading the Admission Ticket.
